Question

Calculate each the following temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit: a. The highest recorded temperature in the world was \(58.0{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) in El Azizia, Libya, on September \(13,1922 .\) b. The lowest recorded temperature in the world was \(-89.2^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) in Vostok, Antarctica, on July \(21,1983 .\)

Short answer

The highest temperature in Fahrenheit is 136.4°F and the lowest is -128.56°F.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the formula

To convert temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit, use the formula: \[ F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32 \]where \(F\) is the temperature in Fahrenheit and \(C\) is the temperature in Celsius.

Convert the highest recorded temperature

Given \( 58.0{ }^{\circ} \text{C} \), substitute \( C = 58.0 \) into the formula:\[ F = \frac{9}{5}(58.0) + 32 \]Calculating it step by step:\[ F = \frac{9}{5} \times 58.0 = 104.4 \]\[ F = 104.4 + 32 = 136.4 \]So the highest recorded temperature in Fahrenheit is \( 136.4^{\circ} \text{F} \).

Convert the lowest recorded temperature

Given \( -89.2^{\circ} \text{C} \), substitute \( C = -89.2 \) into the formula:\[ F = \frac{9}{5}(-89.2) + 32 \]Calculating it step by step:\[ F = \frac{9}{5} \times (-89.2) = -160.56 \]\[ F = -160.56 + 32 = -128.56 \]So the lowest recorded temperature in Fahrenheit is \( -128.56^{\circ} \text{F} \).

Key concepts

Temperature Conversion

Understanding how to convert temperatures between the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales is essential.
The formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is straightforward: \( F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32 \). Here, 'F' represents Fahrenheit, and 'C' represents Celsius.
This formula scales the Celsius temperature, multiplies it by \( \frac{9}{5} \), which is the conversion factor, and then adds 32 to shift the scale appropriately.
This conversion formula ensures that a temperature measured in Celsius can be equivalently expressed in Fahrenheit.

Celsius Scale

The Celsius scale, created by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, is also known as the centigrade scale.
It is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, which are 0°C and 100°C, respectively, under standard atmospheric conditions.
The Celsius scale is widely used around the world for most temperature measuring purposes and is part of the metric system.
In scientific contexts, the Celsius scale is valuable because of its simple relation to the Kelvin scale, used in science to measure extreme temperatures.

Fahrenheit Scale

The Fahrenheit scale, developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, is primarily used in the United States and its territories for most temperature measurements.
On this scale, water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F under standard atmospheric conditions.
The Fahrenheit scale tends to be more granular than Celsius because it divides the freezing and boiling points of water into 180 degrees instead of 100.
This makes Fahrenheit useful for weather reporting and other applications where small temperature increments are important.

Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures highlight the diverse and often harsh climates found on Earth.
For instance, the highest temperature ever recorded was 58.0°C (136.4°F) in El Azizia, Libya, on September 13, 1922.
In contrast, the lowest recorded temperature was -89.2°C (-128.56°F) in Vostok, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983.
Understanding these extreme temperatures is crucial for climatologists and meteorologists who study climate patterns and their implications.
Adequate knowledge of temperature conversion helps us appreciate the vast range of Earth's climates and better prepare for various weather conditions.